Criminal Justice Technician

Program Overview

The Criminal Justice Technician Technical Certificate program is a sequence of courses that prepares the student for entry-level employment opportunities with regional law enforcement and correctional facility employers. The program emphasizes the principles of law enforcement, constitutional law, and criminal/corrections procedures needed for entry-level criminal justice employment. The technical certificate of credit prepares students for a position in law enforcement, corrections, or security.

Students can enter the Criminal Justice Technician certificate program any semester. A full-time student can complete this program in 1 semester. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 15 semester credit hours.

Career Traits/Requirements

Individuals wanting to enroll in the Criminal Justice Technician program must be able to deal with a wide array of situations with a level head.

Curriculum

Course Overview

Introduces the development and organization of the criminal justice system in the United States. Topics include: the American criminal justice system; constitutional limitations; organization of enforcement, adjudication, and corrections; and career opportunities and requirements.

Provides an analysis of all phases of the American correctional system and practices, including its history, procedures, and objectives. Topics include: history and evolution of correctional facilities; legal and administrative problems; institutional facilities and procedures; probation, parole, and prerelease programs; alternative sentencing; rehabilitation; community involvement; and staffing.

This course examines the principles of the organization, administration, and duties of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Topics include: history and philosophy of law enforcement, evaluation of administrative practices, problems in American law enforcement agencies, emerging concepts, professionalism, and community crime prevention programs.

This course emphasizes those provisions of the Bill of Rights which pertain to criminal justice. Topics include: characteristics and powers of the three branches of government; principles governing the operation of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment.

Analyzes the nature, extent, and causes of juvenile delinquency, and examines processes in the field of juvenile justice. Topics include: survey of juvenile law, comparative analysis of adult and juvenile justice systems, and prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency.